Design Notes

From Deck System


System Overview

  • Cards dictate all mechanical action
  • Three main encounter types
    • Turn Based: Most often corresponds to combat
    • Group Turns: Most often corresponds to exploration
    • Free Flow: Most often corresponds to social interaction
  • Cards have either generic, or specific fuel costs
    • E.g. a card could simply cost "3 Points" or specifically "3 Rapport Points" or "3 Stamina Points"
  • Classes provide unique 'fuels' which allow the play of class specific cards
  • Some class specific cards allow the character to gain limited access to the fuel of a different class
    • For example, a Mage might have a card that allows them to cast a spell called "invigorate" which grants them some amount of Stamina
    • As an additional example, a Fighter may have a card which allows them to spend their turn focusing on their future strikes to gain a Spirit Point for each successful hit on the next turn
  • Players build up to 3 decks (one for each pillar: Social Interaction, Exploration, Combat); at the beginning of an encounter, players can substitute up to three cards in their deck on alternate cards which they possess
  • Players can build/reorganize their decks to a greater degree only under specific circumstances (Only while in town? Every long rest? Just takes X amount of time?)
  • Action economy tied to the number of dice you roll on your turn
  • Cards contain both guaranteed effects, as well as rolled bonus/detriment effects
  • Choose the number of dice you roll, and roll them at the beginning of your turn; any unsued dice come with a negative consequence (maybe you regain that many fewer fuel on the next turn)

Classes

  • Bard (Rapport Points)
    • Social based class
  • Brute (Fortitude Points)
    • High damage class
  • Cleric (Light Points)
    • Healing/support class
  • Fighter (Stamina Points)
    • Consistent damage class
  • Mage (Mana Points)
    • Utility class
  • Mystic (Spirit Points)
    • Coordination class
  • Psychic (Will Points)
    • Control class
  • Ranger (Breath Points)
    • Ranged combat class
  • Rogue (Sneak Points)
    • Skill monkey class